A new recording of Psalter: Themes for Peace —the jazz work first premiered in 2024 beneath Peter Walker Sculptor's Peace Doves installation in St Alban's Cathedral—was officially launched this weekend at Girton College, Cambridge. Representing the Cathedral at the launch were Dean Jo, Caroline Godden, and Isabelle Lepore of the Adult Learning Team, and Dr Hilary Marlow, the St Albans Cathedral Canon Environmentalist and Director of Studies and Fellow at Girton College.

Album artwork for Psalter: Themes for Peace

Commissioned by the Cathedral’s Adult Learning team, the six-part composition sets verses from the Psalms to contemporary jazz, echoing the 7, 000 handwritten prayers for peace that once hung as paper doves in the Norman Tower. At the launch, those Psalm passages were read by Dr Hilary Marlow, reinforcing the work’s spiritual call to peacemaking.

The work was composed by Revd Dr Tim Boniface, a jazz saxophonist, theologian, and Chaplain at Girton College, Cambridge, who also leads the performing ensemble. Performing alongside him on the album are acclaimed musicians James Pearson (piano), Malcolm Creese (double bass), and Jon Ormston (drums). 

“It was a true privilege and joy to hear once again Psalter: Themes for Peace. The prayer, and challenge, to work for peace echoed in this composition continues to be an essential and powerful message in our world,” said The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans.

Dr Hilary Marlowe, Dean Jo, Tim Boniface, Caroline Goodall and Isabelle Lepore celebrating the launch of Psater: Themes for Peace

Caroline Godden of the Adult Learning Team added, “Creativity and inspirational artistry has always gone hand-in-hand with the learning and deep prayerfulness found in our Cathedral throughout its history. We’re beyond delighted that the glorious music of Psalter has become part of this rich tradition in our Adult Learning programme. We were thrilled to hear the new album, and can’t wait to welcome the Tim Boniface Quartet back in the new year.”

Since its January 2024 premiere, Psalter: Themes for Peace has toured venues nationwide. The next performance is scheduled for Southwark Cathedral this August, and the freshly released CD will soon be available in the St Albans Cathedral shop.

Find out more about Tim Boniface's work at  www.timboniface.co.uk